On July 20, Nam Joo-hyuk uploaded a series of selfies to his social media account with the simple caption: “9000.” The photos showed the actor relaxing on a leather sofa in what appeared to be a waiting room between takes. Although dressed in a full Joseon era costume, including a royal official’s hat, Nam Joo-hyuk added a playful touch by wearing modern black sunglasses.
Other images gave fans a rare glimpse into the making of the series, with crew members dressed in green chroma key suits crawling down stairs and reaching out for the actor during filming. The unusual scenes highlighted the extensive CGI work used to create the supernatural world depicted in The East Palace.
Released on July 17, The East Palace follows the story of Gu-cheon, a man capable of crossing between the human world and the spirit realm, and Saeng-gang, a palace maid who hides a dangerous secret. After receiving a royal order, the pair investigate a mysterious curse haunting the crown prince’s palace.
Nam Joo-hyuk plays Gu-cheon, a secretive figure who has long distanced himself from society before becoming embroiled in the palace’s supernatural mystery.
After the series’ release, Nam Joo-hyuk’s performance generated mixed reactions from viewers. Some viewers praised the drama’s visuals and scale of production, while expressing reservations about the lead actor’s portrayal of Gucheon.
Online critics argued that the character required a wider emotional range and stronger screen presence, with some commenting that his line delivery and facial expressions seemed limited for a fantasy thriller focused on supernatural conflict. Others, however, defended the performance, suggesting that Gu-cheon’s quiet and emotionally reserved personality was intentionally portrayed with subtlety. As with many high-profile releases, public reactions remain divided.
East Palace was said to have been produced on a budget of around ₩40 billion (around US$29 million), making it one of the largest Korean drama productions of the year. The series combines historical settings with horror, fantasy and mysterious creatures, relying heavily on visual effects to bring its supernatural elements to life.
Despite the ongoing discussions about East Palace, Nam Joo-hyuk has already confirmed his next project. He will star in the upcoming Disney+ original series Code: Faust Game alongside actress Lee Yi-dam.
The mystery thriller follows ambitious lawyer Yoon Tae-joo, who discovers a mysterious mobile application called “Code” that grants people’s wishes, leading him into a dangerous series of events.
Sources: Nate News
